insular
/ˈɪnsjələ/
Group 7Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience GRE
Example in Context
The company's insular corporate culture, resistant to outside perspectives, contributed to its failure to anticipate shifting market demands.
Synonyms
narrow-mindedisolatedprovincial
Etymology
An island mindset — cut off from outside ideas and cultures.
- insula (Latin) — island
Memory Aid
🏚️Sounds like “in cellar”
A person stuck IN A CELLAR, completely unaware of the world ABOVE, living an INSULAR life!
Visual Association
🏝️A lonely islander on a deserted island, ignoring the bustling world of culture just beyond the horizon.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “insular” mean on the GRE?
insular (adjective) means “Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience”. The company's insular corporate culture, resistant to outside perspectives, contributed to its failure to anticipate shifting market demands.
How to remember “insular” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “insular” sounds like “in cellar”. A person stuck IN A CELLAR, completely unaware of the world ABOVE, living an INSULAR life!
What are synonyms for “insular”?
Common synonyms: narrow-minded, isolated, provincial.